POOL FRIENDS, A GIFT OF SUMMER.

Pool friends. A unique relationship of summer. The bonds are made by warm weather, the smells of chlorine and sunscreen, and unspoken promises not to laugh at you in a swim suit. These friends share the best of times. Lazy days relaxing in a beach chair, good foods and junk foods, and stories of vacations both simple and exotic. Sure there is the occasional complaint about the weather and how fast the summer is going by, but generally these friendships are positive and intimate. What else could they be, they were formed while sitting in a bathing suit.

These are the people that accept you whether you sit baking in the sun or following the illusive shade. They understand if you sit by yourself after greeting them because they know the pleasure of the rare quite moment to read a book. They will also welcome your company when you finish. They will stop in mid sentence while you chase small child heading too close to deep water, and pick up again once you resume a comfortable pose. They don't care if you do not get wet all summer.

When our children were young we had daily meetings at the pool. Like punching a clock, we arrived with regular, predictable schedules and sat in our usual seats. As our children grew, we found new freedom, allowing them to attend the pool unchaperoned while we catch up on long overdue chores. Now, we make a special effort to see our pool friend, scheduling appointments and pot lucks. Never the less, these dates are just as relaxing and fun.

We spend the winter counting how many days until the pool opens and our summers counting how many days we have left. While sitting with our pool friends, we can enjoy the day or evening with out worrying about tomorrow. Farewell until next season.